Chapter 18

Are you home yet? Maksim texted Ella for the 6th time since she had gotten on the school bus.

Ella rolled her eyes as she answered. She knew he was upset he couldn't drop her off but she always knew they had to be more careful around each other. The last thing she needed was for someone else in her family to see them together.

I'm home, you can breathe now, Ella responded back.

Not until you are next to me again.

As Ella climbed the stairs to her house, her heart skipped a beat from reading his text. She stood outside her door taking deep breaths before she entered. She knew she was red as a tomato.

As she stood outside, Ella could hear her father's voice speaking to someone on the phone. She turned the key in the key hole and stepped inside. Her eyes immediately landed on her parents sitting at the dinner table huddled around the phone. As Ella walked in, Ruby helD her her finger to her lips to signal her to be quiet.

Curiously, Ella dropped her bag on the floor and paused to hear what was going on.

"So, just to be on the same page, how much are you offering again?" Dean asked the person on the phone.

Ella's heart sank. Was this about the diner? A hollow feeling came over her chest as she sank into her chair. Her eyes watched her parents with worry as Dean listened to the phone.

"So, 40%?" Dean asked as he scribbled something down. "No, no. That is completely fine."

Ruby and Ella waited patiently as Dean continued to listen for ten more minutes before he thanked the person and hung up.

"Who was that?" Ella asked impatiently.

"How much are they offering?" Ruby asked.

Dean took a deep breath as a smile fo great relief washed over his face surprising Ella.

"We have a buyer for the diner," he said with enthusiasm. Ella didn't understand why he was so happy about it.

"They want to keep me on as a partner," Dean finally explained.

"What?" Ella couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Yeah, they're offering me 405 of the partnership. We can keep the place going just as with our name and everything."

"Who are these people?" Ella asked.

"They're some company out of town. They got our information from the bank."

"And you think they're good? I mean the offer seems too good to be true." Ella frowned.

"No, no. They're good and real. My lawyer looked over their contract. They invest in small businesses all over the country."

"What's their name?"

"Harris Corporation."

"I never heard of them," Ruby said.

"It's not like they put their names on everything, honey," Dean laughed. "This is wonderful for us. We get to keep the diner and everything goes back to the way it was."

Ella found herself smiling as she watched her parents. The joy and relief in her father's eyes made her heart feel light. Ever since his stroke and the news of the diner closing, he hadn't been the same. But for the first time in a while, Ella was starting to see his old self coming back.

"Ruby, go get the old bottle of wine I've been saving. I'll call Seth and Rob," Dean got off the chair in excitement as he clapped his hands. He walked over to Ella and kissed her head.

"Look alive, my darling girl," he laughed. "Papa will take care of everything. You never have to worry."

"I wasn't worried," Ella lied.

She let Dean pull her off the chair as he danced with her in the middle of the kitchen. Ruby laughed as she watched them and turned the radio higher. Leo, who had been playing in the halls came running in to see what all the commission was about. His little eyes watched his grandfather and aunt dance as his grandmother picked him up and danced along with him too.

"Papa, you need to take it easy," Ella shook her head as she moved him back to the chair. Dean's face was starting to turn red from the exertion. She didn't want him to weaken himself.

Ruby kissed Leo's cheeks and sat him down on the table as she pulled the wine bottle out.

"Here you go," she said. "But remember. Only one glass for you."

"I know, I know woman," Dean laughed. "Let's go Leo. Come keep your old man some company."

"Ella, go finish your homework and then come help me with dinner," Ruby said as she followed Leo and Dean out the doors to the neighbors house.

Ella watched them leave before she sighed and picked up her bag. She pulled out her phone and dialed Maksim's number as she made her way to her room.

"Yes, baby?" Maksim answered right away.

"Do you always walk about staring at your phone?" Ella laughed as she closed her bedroom door.

"No,"

"Then how do you always pick up as soon as I call?"

"Do you want me to wait to pick up?"

"No," Ella said quietly as she saw herself blush in the mirror.

"I love seeing your blush," Maksim surprised her by saying.

Ella's eyes snapped up the window as she began to look around, "Are you here?"

"No," Maksim laughed on the other line. "I can just tell from your voice."

Ella rolled her eyes. She flopped down onto her bed and pulled out her books from her bag.

"Help me with my math homework?"

"Of course," Maksim said. Ella could feel him smiling.

Suddenly, as Ella pulled her books out one by one, a thought occurred to her. She stopped what she was doing and frowned.

"Max,"

"Yes, my love?"

"A company offered to take my dad on as a partner for the diner. They're offering him 40% if we sell."

"Oh that's wonderful news," Maksim said surprised.

"Yeah..... It is."

"You don't sound too excited about it."

"I just...."

"What is it?"

"I just think it's a bit odd," Ella confessed.

"What do you mean?"

"I told you about the diner this morning..... And now this company just offers to buy it out of the blue."

"You think I had something to do with this?" Maksim laughed.

"Did you?"

"Ella, I was with you all day," Maksim said slowly. "And I told you I wasn't going to interfere."

Ella felt a cloud of doubt in her mind start to vanish, "So this isn't you?"

"No, baby. It's not me."

"Okay," Ella said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I just.... I just needed to know."

"Ready to do your homework?" Maksim changed the subject.

"Yes," Ella nodded as she pulled out her math textbook.

Until Ruby called her for dinner after several hours, Maksim and Ella stayed on the phone doing their homework. Usually, it took Ella only an hour to do her work, but with Maksim around, they seem to always get distracted.

"Don't go," Maksim whines as he heard Ruby calling Ella.

"I thought you wanted me to eat more,"

"I do....but I also want to hear your voice," Maksim said. "Maybe I should mark you."

"What?" Ella asked in shock. She suddenly remembered Lilly's crescent shaped scar on her neck and felt her own neck rise up with goosebumps.

Maksim started to laugh on the other side of the line, "Relax, I'm just messing with you."

"That's not very funny," Ella frowned.

"I'm sorry," Maksim said but Ella could still hear the laughter in his voice. "But I mean, one day I will. And I can't wait for that day."

Ella's heart thundered in her chest, "Will it hurt?"

"No," Maksim spoke gently, making Ella's stomach fill up with butterflies. "I won't hurt you."

"You promise?"

"I promise," Maksim said.

"Ella!" Ruby called again. "Hurry up!"

"Go," Maksim sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow, love."

"Good night, Max."

"Sweet dream, Ella Bella."

Ella rolled her eyes as she hung up her phone and headed to the living room. There was a spring to her steps as she hummed and smiled as she sat down next to Piper and tugged at the girl's ponytail.

"You're in a good mood," Ruby to Ella said as Mia came into the room.

"Yep," Ella nodded. "I am happy about the dinner."

"Oh me too," Ruby nodded. "What a relief."

"Where's dad?" Mia asked as she set Leo's plate down in front of him.

"He's still out there talking to Seth and Rob," Ruby waved her hand.

Ella picked up a slice of carrot as she watched Ruby make them each a plate. Across the table, she felt Mia look at her once or twice but she couldn't care less. Ella was in too much of a good mood to worry about her sister's pettiness.

"Any news on you know who?" Piper whispered as she leaned over to Ella.

"I'll tell you later," Ella whispered back.

"Do you know if he asked anyone to the homecoming dance?"

"He hasn't asked anyone," Ella said, smiling.

"What are you two whispering about?" Ruby asked as she smiled at her children.

"Nothing!" Piper moved back to her seat. She turned to Ella and gave her a very obvious wink.

"Piper, you would be the worst spy ever," Mia laughed.

"Oh if only you knew, dear sister," Piper shook her head as Ella kicked her under the table.

Just then, the front door opened and Dean came in with the empty bottle of wine.

"They drank the whole thing?" Ruby complained. "I wanted a glass with my dinner."

"I'll buy you another bottle tomorrow," Dean laughed as he took his seat at the head of the table.

Dinner began quietly as everyone passed around the salad bowl and the bread basket. Ruby and Mia made conversation about Leo's school as Dean ate his meal in silence, deep in thought. At first, Ella didn't make anything of it. She assumed he was thinking about the company's offer. But when he took a deep breath and asked her how school was, a heavy feeling fell over her stomach.

"It's going well," Ella said quietly.

Dean nodded, "Good."

Everyone around the table had their eyes on their plate as Dean gathered his thoughts.

"Seth was showing me something today on that website," he began to say.

Ella felt her heart stop as she listened to her father's words. She felt Piper's hand on her knee as they both held their breath and waited for their father to continue.

"What's that website you use, Pip?" Dean asked his youngest.

"Facebook?" Piper looked at her father then at her sister.

"Yeah, yeah. That one."

"What did Seth show you?" Ruby asked curiously.

"About the boy at St. Vincent. It said he was after some girl. Some blonde girl."

Ella wanted the floors to open up and swallow her whole. She wanted to crawl under the table and never come out.

"It's not you, is it?" Dean looked at his daughter.

"Uh?" Ella looked at her father. "No. It's not me."

"Blonde girl?" Mia spoke up. "What did it say?"

Ella was glad she had set her fork down. She was sure she would have stabbed Mia with it if she was holding it.

"He's been filtering with her," Dean said with disgust. "Poor girl. To become a target like that."

"I don't think any of those girls in that school minds," Ruby tried to lighten the mood but Dean wouldn't drop it.

"It's sick," he said. "He's playing with them and then he's just going to break their heart."

Ella tried to blend in with the chair and not move an inch, but when her father's eyes turned to her, her heart jumped in fright.

"He hasn't tried talking to you?"

"No," Ella shook her head.

"You see that bastard," Dean snorted. "He tried it with you too. He sent all those flowers thinking he could get you to do whatever he wants. And when you said no, he moved on to some other poor girl."

Ella bit down on her lips to keep herself from saying anything. A strange mix of numbness and panic brewed inside of her like a storm.

"I don't trust that kid," Dean shook his head. "He's gonna do something one of these days."

No one dared to say a word as Dean muttered to himself about how he raised his children to be better. He talked about how the poor mystery blonde's parents should keep a closer eye on their daughter and shouldn't let a blood sucker from the royal family mess with her life.

Ella had to bite down extra hard on her lips to stop herself from laughing. She wanted to point out he had no clue about what was going on with Lily and Charlie. He had no right to speak about anything. He was just making himself into a hypocrite. But the next words that came out of his mouth had all traces of anger vanish from Ella's mind. Instead, her empty heart filled with fear.

"Baywolf High is a pretty good school," Dean said. "All of Seth's kids went there and so did Mia."

Ella was too scared to acknowledge where this was going. She stared at her dinner plate as she began to poke at the salad.

"They have those honors classes too, don't they, Ella?"

"Some," Ella muttered. "Not all."

"You're a good student," Dean said. "You would get good grades anywhere."

Ella dragged her eyes up to her father, "What are you saying?"

Dean took a deep breath as he cut his meat, "I'm saying that maybe....you know. Maybe you should consider transferring to Baywolf."

Ella's fork fell out of her hand, "No."

"I don't like you going to the same school as that kid,"

"I can't leave St. Vincent," Ella said in a panic. "It's the best school in town. I worked so hard to get my scholarship!"

"I know, I know," Dean said, patting her hand. "But like I said, you would have good grades anywhere."

"No, it's not the same!" Ella felt her heart close ups and her lungs failing. "Do you know how many call backs I will get from college when they see St. Vincent on my transcript. It's a direct pipeline to the best colleges all over the world. Seven students of last year's senior class got accepted into Columbia University in America. That's my dream school. I have to get into Columbia and if they see Baywolf on my transcript they will just toss it aside. I need St. Vincent."

"Okay, okay, relax," Dean held up his hands. "I'm not saying transfer out tomorrow."

Ella felt her eyes water. She looked at her mother who had her eyes on her husband.

"Honey," Ruby said. "St. V is a very good school."

"I have no problem with St. V," Dean said to his defense. "I think it's a great school."

"But you still want me to move because of some stupid prejudice you have against Maksim and his family," Ella shook her head.

"It's not stupid. They're not good people,"

"You're talking about ruining my chances of a better future!" Ella stood up from her chair. "You think me transferring school is going to make any difference to the royal family? It's only going to hurt my education. And I can't believe you're willing to throw away my future over something so stupid like this."

"Sit down!" Dean said sternly. "You don't know these people. You don't know what they are capable of doing."

"And you do?" Ella asked. "Have you ever talked to one of their kind?"

"Not another word," Dean held up his finger.

Ella glared at her father as the rest of the family looked at each other.

"I don't want you anywhere near that boy," Dean continued. "You can stay at St. Vincent but if I ever see your name on one of those websites or hear you been around him, I'm transferring you out myself."

"You can't do that," Ella said, her voice barely a whisper.

"As long as you live under my roof, you follow my rules."

And with that, all conversation around the dinner table died. Everyone turned their attention to their food as Ella sat in her chair feeling stuck and numb. Piper reached out and placed her hand on top of her sister's and tried to comfort her. Ella didn't touch her food as the silence around the room amplified the helplessness in her heart. She feared she would throw up if she opened her mouth.

For the rest of the night, the same hollow and helpless feeling kept her awake as she tossed and turned. By the next morning, she was a ghost in a shell as she dressed for school and gathered her materials.

"Remember," Dean said as Ella was about to leave the house. "Don't let me find out you've been around that boy."

Ella didn't have a response as she slipped out the doors and made her way to the bus stop. From the corner of her eyes she saw Maksim's car follow her but she continued walking with her head down. When she arrived at the bus stop, her phone rang but she let it go to voicemail.

I think it's best if I take the bus today, Ella texted Maksim.

She expected his car to drive away once he saw her message, but Maksim didn't move. He stayed in his spot as she waited for the bus. As she bored with the other students and rode to school, he followed behind.

Once Ella got off the bus she rushed to her locker and gathered the books she needed for the day. She was trying to think of where to go for study hall when she suddenly felt the back of her neck heat up.

"What's wrong?" Maksim asked.

Ella turned to find him staying only a few inches away from her. Behind him, some of the students stopped just long enough to give him a free glance before rushing off to class. Ella's stomach turned every time she caught another pair of eyes.

"Everyone is looking," she said.

"Fuck everyone," Maksim's eyes darkened as he leaned towards Ella. She could feel his worry and concern for her wash off his body like waves and crash against her skin.

"Max," Ella closed her locker and took a step back. "We need to act normal."

"We are,"

"Then take a step back," Ella grew frustrated with him. "You know people are already talking. Why do you keep making this harder?"

"They're gonna talk no matter what we do, Ell," Maksim said as he took a step back and frowned.

"Yeah, but maybe they'll talk less if we don't give them something to talk about."

The frown on Maksim's face grew as Ella sighed and ran a hand through her hair. He wanted to reach out and kiss her lips and tell her everything would be okay.

As if she could sense these thoughts, Ella's eyes flickered up to meet his brown ones. She shook her head and copied the frown on his lips. She held the books tightly against her chest as she watched her mate take another step away from her.

Slowly the physical distance between them grew. During study hall, they sat at the same table but surrounded by other people. Both of their minds scattered and ran like machines as they spent all their attention trying to make sure people wouldn't have something to talk about.

During class, Maksim didn't ask Ella for a pencil. She stared at the spare sitting on her desk the entire period as she only listened to Maksim's pen moving over his paper as he took notes.

By the end of the day, Ella felt worse then she had the night before. She was emotionally drained and exhausted as she sank into her seat last period. When he looked behind her she found Maksim's seat empty. With only a minute left until the late bell, Ella kept her eyes on the door as she put her head down on her desk.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Ella picked up her head and found a text from Maksim waiting for her. She put her phone under her desk and opened the text.

Second floor, girl's bathroom. I need your help.

Ella didn't know what came over her. She didn't hesitate even for a second as she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room. The teacher and students all stared at her, but she had only one thing on her mind. Taking the stairs two at a time, Ella ran downstairs to the girl's bathroom.

When she arrived, she found Maksim standing outside pacing the floor. He sensed her coming down the hall and looked up with relief.

"What's wrong?" Ella asked.

"It's Clare," Maksim sighed. "She's having an anxiety attack from all the crazy idiots in her class. I can't go in there without it being all over the news tomorrow."

"I got it," Ella said as she handed Maksim her bag.

"Thank you," Maksim sighed.

Ella took a deep breath as she pushed the door open and walked inside. Most of the stalls were open as two middle school girls stood in front of the mirror taking pictures.

"You two should be in class," Ella said.

"So should you," one of the girls rolled her eyes as she went back to taking another picture.

"Prince Maksim is outside," Ella offered up the info.

"What?" the girls turned in unison.

"You two should hurry before he leaves," Ella jumped out of the way as the tweens grabbed their bags and ran out of the bathroom squealing up a storm. She told herself to apologize to Maksim later as she checked all the stalls.

"Are they gone?" Clare's voice came from the second to last stall.

"Yes," Ella said. She waited by the sink as Clare unlocked the stall and came out with a sigh.

"They are exhausting," she said.

"Are you okay?" Ella asked as she eyed the puffiness under the girl's eyes.

"I will be," Clare pushed her hair back and straightened her shoulder.

"You're brother is pretty upset and worried about you."

"He's always worried....about everything,"

Ella stayed quiet as she watched Clare wash her hands in the sink and wet a paper towel. She carefully brought it up to her eyes and dabbed the tear stains away.

From outside, the high pitched giggles and shrikes of the girls came into the bathroom as Clare and Ella stood around silently.

"People always like you better when they don't know you," Clare suddenly said as she dragged her eyes away from the door.

"I don't think that's true," Ella said gently.

Clare gave a small laugh, "It is. You'll find out once you are queen."

"I don't think th-"

"You will be Queen, Ella." Clare said with a serious look in her eyes as she turned to the girl next to her. "I know it. You have a long difficult road ahead of you, but you will have it out alive."

"You....you saw this happen?" Ella asked quietly.

"Yes," Clare nodded as she looked down at her hands still under the running water. "My mother had a dream about you too. Last week. You were dressed in red next to my brother."

"The queen's dreams come true,"

"Not always. But yes, most of the time my mother's dreams send her messages. Just as I get messages in my head."

"Have you gotten any message about me?"

"Yes," Clare sighed.

"What was it?"

Clare slowly looked up from the water, "Do you know what I have learned from in the few days that I've been in school?"

Ella waited for her to answer.

"Not much considering those mouth breathers are idiots who can't seem to think outside of their phones," Clare snorted. She turned back to the sink and turned off the water. "But even in all this, I learned something very valuable."

"Which is?"

"People don't like you when you know too much about them," Clare frowned.

"Clare...."

"Don't tell me it's not true," Clare took a step back. "You are upset about your parents. You're worried about your sister. You're in love with my brother but you don't want to admit it. Your life will change dramatically in the next few days."

Ella blinked in surprise as she stood feeling completely naked in front of Clare. She watched as the princess shrugged and turned away.

"See," Clare said. "No one likes it when you know too much."

Ella didn't know what to say as she continued to stare at the very young girl in front of her. Clare was younger then Lily, yet her eyes were wise like an owl. She carried the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders and didn't for once let the word see how she was suffering.

"I completed my first spell yesterday," Clare said.

"That's wonderful," Ella congratulated her.

"I should feel happy about it, right?"

"Yes, you should."

"But I don't," Clare looked up at Ella. "I don't feel happy. I feel your sadness, I feel your worries....I don't feel my happiness."

"Clare....I'm so sorry. I am happy for you."

"I know you are," Clare said. "But your own emotions are always there. You don't have to apologize for feeling."

They fell back into silence again as Clare sighed and fixed her hair.

"I told my mom yesterday about the spell," she said after a while.

"What did she say?"

"She said she was so happy for me and proud of me, but all I felt were her irritation with the pixies."

Ella's heart sank as she listened to Clare.

"Then I told my dad and he said the same thing. Except he was drained from training the queen's guards."

"It never stops," Clare laughed. "It never stops, Ella. I.....I wish I would for once know if what I'm feeling is real. It exhausting to feel so many things yet nothing at all."

Ella opened her mouth to speak but Clare stopped her again.

"Are you feeling heartbroken for me, right now?" Clare asked. "I feel it. I feel you feeling sorry for me."

Ella didn't know what else to say or do as the corner of Clare's eyes sparkled with tears. She suddenly remembered Lily and threw her arms around Clare.

To her surprise, Clare let her hold her. The girl melted against Ella as she buried her face in her shoulder and let her tears slip out.

"I would miss Mackey too if he moved away like Lily," Clare said.

"Are you angry right now?" Ella asked.

"No,"

"You should be," Ella pulled back to look at the girl. "You should be so angry because this isn't fair to you."

Clare took a second to think about what was happening in her mind. She took several long deep breaths and then looked up at Ella again.

"I....I think I'm angry, but I can't tell."

"I'm not angry," Ella said. "I'm upset and worried."

"Yes, I feel that too. I feel you pity too. But I do feel the anger as well."

Ella smiled, "Your feelings are there. You just....."

"Have to dig for them," Clare sighed. "I know they are there. It's just exhausting to always dig for them."

"Isn't there anything your parents can do?"

"You mean magic?"

Ella shrugged, "Yeah..... I guess."

"I'm still too young...."

"How do you usually.....calm down?"

"I sit in my room alone,"

"It must be hard being in school surrounded by all these people."

"You have no idea," Clare sighed. "I shouldn't have come to school."

"At least now you know you're not missing much,"

"I guess."

"You should tell your brother to take you home," Ella said as she rubbed Clare's arm. "The day is almost over."

"You're right," Clare sighed again. "I need to get out of here."

"Max is waiting outside."

"Why do you call him Max?" Clare asked as she began to walk to the door.

"I....I don't know," Ella said honestly.

"I'm feeling......love," Clare paused near the door.

"No," Ella shook her head.

"No..." Clare said with a smile. "Not yet."

As the girls walked out, Maksim pushed off the locker he had been leaning against. His eyes went from Ella to Clare before he locked his gaze with his mate again.

"Were you two having a party in there?" He asked.

"We heard the party out here," Clare said as she picked up her bag.

"How are you feeling?" Maksim looked at his sister with concern.

"That's a stupid question?" Clare frowned. "I feel your worry. And Ella's sadness."

"Why is Ella sad?"

"I don't know, you're her mate. You find out."

"I'm okay," Ella jumped in.

"She's lying," Clare said.

"I know she is," Maksim rolled his eyes.

"You two are unbelievable," Ella took her bag from Maksim and laughed. "Take her home. Pick up Cleo."

"Shit, I almost forgot about her," Maksim said as he rubbed his forehead. "I'll drop you off too on our way."

"No," Ella shook her head. "I'll take the bus."

"Ell,"

"Max," Ella pushed him away playfully. "Go."

"Can I pick you up tomorrow?"

"I don't think that's a good idea,"

Maksim's eyes lingered on Ella. Behind him Clare made a heart with her hands and then pretended to break it. Ella felt her own heart shatter as she watched the girl's actions.

"Go home, Max," she said quietly. "Take Clare home."

_______________________________

That evening, Ella went through interrogation during dinner. Someone had found Maksim's notes on her room and Dean wanted an explanation.

"Who went through my stuff?" Ella asked in disbelief as she stared at the pieces of paper Maksim had passed to her in between classes.

"What are these?" Dean tapped on the notes on the table.

"How do you know they are from Max, I mean Maksim?" Ella demanded to know.

"Are they?"

"No!" Ella lied. "They're from Gwen."

"I didn't know you and Gwen were friends," Mia said as she sat back in her chair.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Ella narrowed her eyes. "You went through my stuff."

"Are these notes from Maksim, Ella?" Dean asked, his voice laced with danger.

"No, they're not!" Ella lied once more. "They're from Gwen."

"You're too beautiful," Mia read one of the notes aloud. "Is she talking about us? Want me to write you a letter like that? I'm keeping all these pencils forever."

Ella wanted to scream as Mia read each of the notes aloud one by one.

"Do you want me to take you home today? Are you going to homecoming? What are your favorite flowers? Favorite ice cream?"

"Stop it!" Ella snatched all the notes back. She turned to her dad and frowned.

"Are you satisfied now?" She asked. "They're from Gwen."

"Who do you talk to every night on your phone?" Mia asked.

"You've been eavesdropping on me? This is ridiculous!"

"Answer the question, Ella," Dean said.

"Dean, this is going overboard-" Ruby tried to intervene but Dean cut her off.

"Who have you been calling every night?"

"Gwen," Ella said the first name that came to her mind. She could tell her dad didn't buy it.

"Call her right now," Mia said, adding fire to the fuel.

"You're too much," Ella shook her head. "I'm not calling anyone."

"Call Gwen, Ella," Mia said slowly. "I want to ask her what you two talk about everyday."

"No," Ella shook her head. She felt the breaks in her mind crumble as her father and sister grilled her.

"You've been talking to that boy, haven't you?" Dean's face grew angry with rage.

Ella dragged her eyes from Mia and looked at her father. She hated lying and Maksim's words ran through her mind over and over.

You're a terrible liar.

Ella took a deep breath as she pushed all her feelings down in her chest until she was a hollow shell. She locked her eyes with her father and nodded her head.

"Yes," She said.

Deana and Ruby gasped as Mia smiled. Piper looked around with worry as she curled up into a small ball on the sofa.

"Yes, I have been talking to Maksim," Ella said louder. "I have been talking to him about Leo's court case."

Mia paled as Dean and Ruby looked at each other in confusion.

"What?" Ruby asked.

"Tell them Mia," Ella said to her sister. "Tell them how Liam is back in town and wants his son."

"Ella, don't you dare say another word," Mia hissed under her breath.

"Why am I being thrown under the bus?" Ella looked around. "I only did what you asked me to. You knew I was talking to Maksim. He got Mrs. De Luca to take your case. Isn't that right?"

"Mia?" Dean turned to his eldest daughter. "Is this true?"

"Ask Leo where he went this weekend," Ella said to her mother.

"Leo," Dean called to the little boy in his mother's room. "Come here, buddy!"

Mia looked ready to kill Ella as the little boy ran into the room and jumped onto his grandfather's lap.

"Hey, buddy," Dean smoothed the boy's blond hair over. "Where did you go this weekend?"

"Mommy and I went to the zoo."

"Who else was there, Leo?" Ella asked the boy. She could feel her sister planning her murder.

"My daddy!" Leo said with enthusiasm. "He bought me a new toy train and then he got me all the ice cream I wanted."

A hush fell over the room as Leo spoke about his day with his dad. Dean's anger bodied in him like a kettle as Mia and Ruby looked at each other with concern. After several minutes, Leo was sent back to his room as Dean told Ella and Mia to sit down in front of him. The girls followed without hesitation.

"I don't need this, I am an adult," Mia said. "I made a decision for myself."

"My house, my rules," Dean reminded her. "This ends here. The court case is over. Mia, you will say your thank yous to that boy and that will be the end of it."

Ella and Mia sat at the dinner table grilling each other. Ella knew Mia was furious about being dragged into this but she deserved every bit of it. After all wasn't she trying to throw Ella under the bus too.

"I can not believe you, Mia," Dean shook his head. "I can not believe you went to them for help. You didn't even tell me any of this. Me, your own father!"

"Dad, I-"

"I'm not done talking," Dean stopped her. "You made your mistakes. Now grow up. Next time I hear any of this don't even bother coming home. You keep relationships with those monsters then the doors of this house will forever be closed to you."

He turned to Ella next, "And that goes for you too. All ties with that boy are off. You want to stay in that school, you will follow my rules. Let me hear you speak to him or hang around him one more time and I will drag you back to Baywolf."

"Am I understood?" Dean demanded.

"Yes," Mia and Ella said in unison.

"Go to your rooms."

Mia was the first to storm off. Ella slowly got up from her chair but her father stopped her.

"Lily is dead to me," he said, sending a chill down her spine. "If you want me to live, you will never see that boy again."

Dean's words haunted Ella the whole night. She was so numb, tears didn't even fall from her eyes. She sat in her bed until the sun rose in the skies outside. She stared at her phone as the numbers on the clock changed and her alarm went off. Like a zombie, Ella dressed for the day and went to grab her bag. When she arrived in the living room, Dean was waiting for her by the door.

"Breakfast?" He asked as he handed Ella a brown paper bag.

"Thank you," Ella said as she took the bag. She was sure the food in it would go to waste. The thought of eating turned her off. If she didn't eat, there would be no chance of her throwing up.

"Have a good day at school," Dean said as he kissed Ella's forehead. "Remember our talk."

Ella nodded before he slipped out the door. She hurried down the steps as her chest tightened around her. She stumbled on a few steps and caught the railing before she fell. Her knees wobbled as she sank down to the floor and pulled her knees to her chest. She felt her chest shake with sobs but no tears came out. Her breathing labored as she looked around. Everything spun around her. The walls closed in, the door zoomed back, the lights dimmed.

Ella felt like a bird in a trap. She knew danger was coming and she couldn't do anything to get away. Her soul fluttered desperately like the wings of the large bird as the darkness slowly came towards her.

Needing fresh air, Ella pushed herself to her feet and stumbled out the doors. She didn't even bother to check if Maksim's car was there as she walked past the diner, the bus stop, and the ice cream shop. She walked and walked, her mind a blank white space with hidden chaos.

By the time Ella arrived at school, she had missed homeroom and 1st period. Her phone vibrated non stop in her pocket, but she didn't have the strength to check. She walked past the security desk and up the stairs to her locker. The kids in the hall buzzed like bees as Ella made her way to her locker

With numb fingers, she turned the lock to the three numbers. 24, 26, 8.....With a tug Ella opened her locker.

A cascade of red rose petals poured out like a waterfall. Ella stared in confusion as Gwen gasped and put her hand out to catch some of the petals. Everyone in the halls stopped to stare at the bizarre sight. Ella stood staring at the petals as they poured out, covered her feet and spilled all over the floor.

Suddenly, the kids in the hall started to part down the middle as the school marching band made their way playing an upbeat tune. The trumpets blared, the drums beat, the cymbals clapped.... And in the middle of it all was Maksim.

Ella felt as if she might stop breathing as the band surrounded her. She looked around and realized every student had their phone out as they filmed what was happening in front of them.

Ella wanted to scream in anger and frustration as Maksim went down on one knee in front of her with an arm full of roses and asked.

"Will you be my date to the homecoming dance, Ella?"

The girls in the hall erupted in aws and cheers as the boys hyped Maksim up. Ella looked around as her stomach began to turn. She felt the rose petals under her feet stab her with a reminder that this was not good. This was so not good.

"Ella? Maksim smiled as he took Ella's hand. "Will you be my date?"

The random flashes from the cameras broke Ella's heart. She felt her wings flutter against in her heart as the darkness grew near.

They were all filming this....

"Ella?" Maksim asked with concern.

"No," Ella suddenly said.

She took a step back and accidentally slammed back into her locker door.

"Ell!" Maksim jumped to his feet and rubbed her head where she had hit it.

Ella felt her heart stop for the hundredth time as she ducked under his arm and ran away from the crowd as fast as she could.  

UGH Max! Why do you have to make her life so hard??